As screenwriters, we’re always looking for that magic ingredient to make our scripts stand out. What if the secret wasn’t a complex technique or a groundbreaking idea, but a single word? That word is specificity.
Specificity transforms generic scenes into unforgettable moments, vague characters into living, breathing people, and predictable dialogue into lines that sparkle with originality. In this article, we’ll explore why specificity matters and how to use it to elevate your screenplay.
1. What Is Specificity in Screenwriting?
Specificity means making deliberate choices that reveal something unique about your story, characters, or setting. It’s about replacing generalities with details that feel authentic and memorable.
Why It Matters:
- Memorability: Specific details stick with the audience. They create a vivid mental image and make your script stand out.
- Character Depth: Specific traits, habits, and quirks make characters feel real and relatable.
- Emotional Impact: Specificity creates connections. The more detailed your world, the easier it is for the audience to immerse themselves in it.
Example: In Pulp Fiction, Mia Wallace doesn’t just order a drink—she orders a $5 milkshake. That detail makes the scene specific, memorable, and instantly iconic.
2. How Specificity Transforms Your Script
Characters:
Generic: “He’s a tough cop with a mysterious past.”
Specific: “He’s a grizzled ex-cop who raises orchids in his spare time to cope with his PTSD.”
Adding unique details like hobbies, fears, or habits makes characters more three-dimensional and gives actors something to sink their teeth into.
Dialogue:
Generic: “I don’t know if I can do this.”
Specific: “You want me to walk into that meeting, look them in the eye, and tell them I didn’t just burn down the warehouse? Sure. Easy.”
Specific dialogue reflects the character’s personality and makes every line more engaging.
Setting:
Generic: “A small-town diner.”
Specific: “A greasy diner with vinyl booths patched in duct tape, a jukebox that only plays Johnny Cash, and a waitress who calls everyone ‘sweetie.’”
The right details bring your setting to life, making it feel authentic and immersive.
3. Using Specificity in Scene Descriptions
Why It’s Important:
Readers experience your screenplay through your descriptions. Vague or clichéd imagery can pull them out of the story, while specific details create a vivid picture.
What to Do:
- Show, Don’t Tell: Instead of writing, “He’s nervous,” describe his actions: “He fumbles with his tie, sweat pooling on his upper lip.”
- Focus on the Unexpected: Highlight details that surprise or intrigue the reader.
Example: In The Big Lebowski, the Dude isn’t just introduced as a slacker—he’s a guy in a bathrobe buying milk at a grocery store. That detail sets the tone for the entire film.
Pro Tip: Use all five senses when describing a scene. What does the setting look, sound, smell, feel, or even taste like?
4. The Role of Specificity in Conflict and Stakes
Why It’s Important:
Specificity makes conflicts more engaging and stakes more personal. Generic stakes (“He has to save the world”) might work in broad strokes, but they won’t resonate emotionally.
What to Do:
- Make Stakes Personal: Tie the conflict to the character’s deepest fears or desires. For example, “She’s not just fighting to save the company; she’s trying to prove she’s more than her father’s shadow.”
- Add Unique Obstacles: Avoid cookie-cutter challenges. Introduce specific hurdles that reveal more about your characters.
Example: In The Queen’s Gambit, the stakes aren’t just about winning chess games—they’re about Beth overcoming her trauma, addiction, and self-doubt.
Pro Tip: Ask yourself, “Why should the audience care about this conflict?” If the answer isn’t clear, add specific details to deepen the stakes.
5. Specificity in Theme and Subtext
Why It’s Important:
Themes resonate more when they’re conveyed through specific actions, symbols, or dialogue. Subtext becomes richer when rooted in authentic details.
What to Do:
- Embed Themes in Details: For example, in Parasite, the recurring motif of stairs symbolizes the divide between social classes.
- Let Subtext Speak: Instead of having characters discuss the theme outright, show it through their choices and environment.
Example: In Mad Max: Fury Road, the theme of survival and rebirth is mirrored in the barren desert landscape and Furiosa’s journey to find “green pastures.”
Pro Tip: Use recurring symbols or imagery to reinforce your themes subtly but powerfully.
6. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overloading with Details:
Too much specificity can overwhelm the reader. Choose details that serve a purpose—don’t describe everything just for the sake of it.
Example: Instead of listing every item on a cluttered desk, focus on one or two objects that tell a story, like a half-empty whiskey bottle and a faded photo.
Falling into Clichés:
Specificity doesn’t mean using tired tropes. Avoid describing a villain as having “cold, calculating eyes” or a hero as “ruggedly handsome.”
Pro Tip: Look for unexpected or contrasting details. A villain who knits sweaters? A hero with a fear of cats? These choices stand out.
Final Thoughts: The Magic of Specificity
Specificity is the secret sauce that elevates a screenplay from good to great. By focusing on vivid details, unique characters, and personal stakes, you’ll create a script that’s not only compelling but unforgettable. Remember, Hollywood is flooded with generic scripts—specificity is what will set yours apart.
So, take another look at your screenplay. Where can you add a splash of detail, a hint of originality, or a moment that feels truly authentic? That’s the one word—specificity—that will make all the difference.
